How much does a lawyer make in Seattle?
$165,000a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $79.32 an hour or $13,750 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.32
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 24 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 9,210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $99,910Median: $165,000Highest 10%: $314,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,910 | $48.03 | |
| 25th | $127,900 | $61.48 | |
| Median | $165,000 | $79.32 | |
| 75th | $215,600 | $103.65 | |
| 90th | $314,100 | $151.02 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| Portland, OR | $155,300 |
| Bremerton, WA | $141,500 |
| Kennewick, WA | $135,600 |
| Olympia, WA | $132,900 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $132,300 |
| Yakima, WA | $131,700 |
| Bellingham, WA | $131,500 |
| Spokane, WA | $123,900 |
| Longview, WA | $101,200 |
| Lewiston, ID | $97,020 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Judge | $135,200 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $130,300 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $92,900 |
| Legal Support Worker | $87,110 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $80,240 |
| Title Examiner | $71,310 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $79.32 ($165,000 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $165,000 against $159,700 nationally, 3% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $154,100, so Seattle pays 7% more.
Where does Seattle rank for lawyer pay?
24 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $99,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $314,100 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.